Pneumatic transmission system



Patented May 2, |899.

- B. C. BATCHELLER. PNEUMATIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM.

(Application filed Feb. 24, 1895.5

7 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

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Patented May 2, |899. B. C. BATCHELLER. PNEUMATIG TRANSMISSION SYSTEM.

(Application led Feb. 24;, 1898.)

7 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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No. 623,969. Patented may 2, |999. B. c. BATCHELLER.

PNEUMATIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM.

(Application filed Feb. 24, 1898.)

(No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 3.

Patented May 2, |899. BfC. BA-TCHELLER.V

PNEUMATIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM.

(Application led Feb. 24, 1898.) (No Model.)

7 Sheets-Sheet 4.

TN: NcRms PETERS co. Phare-nwo., WASHINGTON, n c

No. 923,969. Patented May 2, |999. l

B. c. BATGHELLER.

PNEUMATIG TRANSMISSION SYSTEM.

(Application med Feb. 24, 189e.)

(No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 5.

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` Patented May 2, |899. B. C. BATCHELLER.

PNEUMATIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM.

(Application led Feb. 24, 1898.)

7 sheets-Sheet s.

(N0 Model.)

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WITNELE6 No. 623,969. Patented Mayz, |899. B. c. BATCHELLER.

PNEUMATIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM.

(Application :Bled Feb. 24, 189B.) (No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 7.

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UNITED STATES PATENT EETCE.

BIRNEY C. BATCHELLER, OF- FHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

PNEUMATIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 623,969, dated May 2,1899. Application led February 24,1898. Serial No. 671,413. KNO modelaTo (all whom, it ntcty concern:

Be it known that I, BIRNEY C. BATCHELLER, a citizen of the United Statesof America, residingin the cityand county of Philadelphia, in the Stateof Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement inPneumatic Transmission Systems, of which the following is a true andexact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,which form a part thereof.

My invention relates to the construction of mechanism used in connectionwith and as a part of a pneumatic transmission system having for itsobject to provide improved means for actuating a system of switches,gates, or otherdevices controlling the passage of a carrier through thesystem, and also improvements in what may properly be called a signalsystem, by which an operator can determine whether or not thecontrolling devices have moved in accordance with his wishes, and insuch a way as to place the system as a whole in the condition desired.

My invention can be applied with advantage in many different arrangemeuts and modifications of the system, but is primarily designed inconnection with a pneumatic-t ube system having a loop branch andarranged with appropriate mechanism for throwing the said loop eitherinto or out of the operative circuit of the system, and I haveaccordingly illustrated this application of my invention in thedrawings, to which reference is now made, and in which- Figure 1 is aplan view illustrating in acondensed form the application of my improvedmechanism to a transmission-tube system having a loopcircuit and for thepurpose of throwing the said loop into and out of the main circuit, asmay be desired. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view through the junction oftwo tubes, showing the switch by which the path of the carrier at suchjunction is determined. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the'line x at ofFig. 2. Fig. litis across-section on the line 1j j1/ of Fig. 2. Fig. 5is a longitudinal section through one of the switch-controllingcylinders-as, for instance, the cylinder Ein Fig. l. Fig. Gis alongitudinal section through the cylinder F controlling the gate in themain tube of the system, the section being extended to take in a portionof the main tube containing the gate. Fig. 7 is a cross-section on theline z E of Fig. G. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section through one of thevalve-casings, its valve, dac., used in connection with each cylinder ofthe system. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section through the valve-casin gand valve by which the motive fluid is directed to and exhausted fromthe various cylinders of the system, showing to the left a frontelevation of the Valve-actuating mechanism by which said valve iscontrolled. Fig. 10 is a crosssection on lthe line o o of Fig. 9. Fig.1l is a cross-section on the line w w of Fig. l0. Fig. 12 is across-section on the linep p of Fig. l1. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectionalview, taken as on the line q qof Fig. 14, through two cylinderssustained on the frame-casting P, and the function of which will behereinafterdcscribed. Fig. Misa cross-section taken as on the line s sof Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is a cross-section taken as on the line t of Fig.14. Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the operation of theelectric circuits and the switch controlling the same.A Fig. 17 is aplan view of the switchboard and its appliances. Fig. 1S is an enlargedcentral sectional view of anindicator device connected with the switch;and Fig. 19 is a cross-section through said device, taken as on the lineu u of Fig. 1S.

A, Fig. 1, indicates the main transmissiontube ofthe system, and B and Bthe ends of a loop-tube connecting with the main transmission-tube attwo different points through the medium of junction-boxes C C, suchlooptube, for instance, taking in an intermediate station or stationswhich at times it is desired to cut out of the system.

D and CZ indicate, respectively, the switch indicated at each end of theloop-tube and by means of which a. carrier coming through the main tubeis deflected into the loop-tube and guided out thereof into the maintube again. These switches are, as shown, pivoted at D' and d andactuated by means of lever-arms D2 and d2, which, as shown, areconnected by links Ds and d3 with piston-rods E2 and c2, connected,respectively, with pistons, such as E', Fig. 5, in the cylinders E ande, each cylinder having, as shown in Fig. 5, tubes or passages, asindicated at and E", leading into each of its ends.

IOO

F, Figs. 1 and 6, is a cylinder similar to E and c, the piston F movingin which connects, by means of its piston-rod F2, with the gate F3,arranged to open and close that portion of the tube A which lies betweenthe junction-boxes C G,1'he plan, as shown in the drawings, being toclose said gate when the switches D and (l are in the position shown inFig. l and in which the loop is intended to be in service and to openthe main tube A when the position of the switches is changed to throwthe loop out of service. The outer en ds of the cylinders E and c andthe upper end of the cylinder F are in the plan shown connected with asupply-pipe E(i by means of a pipe E, leading to the outer end of thecylinder E, and a connecting-pipe F5', leading to the upper end of thecylinder F and through an extension c3 to the outer end of the cylindere. The inner ends ofthe cylinders E and c and the lower end of thecylinder F are in turn connected with a supplypipe E7 by means of a pipeE1, leading to the inner end of the cylinder E, and a pipe c1, leadingto the inner end of the cylinder e and having a branch E51, leading tothe lower end of the cylinder F.

lhe supply-pipes EG and E7 lead into a valve-easing G, (see Figs. l, O,and 10,) said casing embracing chambers G' and G2, into which therespective supply pipes lead, a chamber G5, connected with anexhaust-conduit, as pipe G10, anda chamber G0, connecting with a sourceof fiuid-pressure-as, for instance, G11-which may conveniently lead tothe conduit-tube A, or, if desired, to any other source of pressure. Thecasingis adapted for use in connection with a valve-as, for instance,the double-piston valve G7 G?` moving in cylindrical portions G3 and G1,which portions are, as shown,in communication with the various chambersof the casing and so arranged that the motion of the valves willalternately connect each supply-pipe with a source of Huid-pressure andwith the exhaustchamber.

G9 is a common valve-stein by which the valves are connected, and G12 anadjustable stop to regulate the motion of the valve in one direction.

It will be obvious that the shifting of the valves GT and G8 willalternately direct the pressure fluid through one of the supply-pipes tothe various cylinders ol' thc system and at the same time connect theother supply-pipe with the exhaust, thus enabling each piston to move inits cylinder and effecting simultaneously, or substantially so, themovement of cach ot' the switches, the gate, or other device by whichthe motion ot' a carrier in the system is controlled. Such valve istherefore a controlling-valve for each of the individual separate partsot' the system, and I will note here that while I prefer theconstruction involving the individual and separate cylinders and the useof pressure iiuid governed by a controlling-valve to actuatc them andthrough them the immediate controlling` devices operating upon thecarrier my invention in a broad sense is not dependent on the particularmechanism by which the controlling devices of the system are shifted andmay be embodied in other substantially equivalent constructions in whichthe controlling devices arc actuated by other mechanical means so longas said means are in turn operative by a common controlling devicehaving the function and substantially the mode of operation of thevalves G7 G8.

My preferred means for operating the controlling-valve of the system arethose indicated in Figs. l0, 1], and 122, valve-stein G1 being connectedwith a piston Il', moving in a cylinder H, Il2 and Il"j being portsleading into the opposite ends of said cylinders from chambers I and Iand II4 being an adjustable stop device for regulating the motion of thepiston in one direction and, in the plan shown, for also regulating themotion of the controlling-valve. rlhe chambers I and I are, as shown, ofcylindrical section and formed in a casting I2, the upper part of eachof said chambers being closed by a plug I3, through which is formed apassage or channel I4, leading into the top of the respective chambersand connected by branch pipes K' and K2 (see Fig. 1G) with a pipe K,leading to a source of fluid-pressure, which may be the tubes of thesystem or any other desired source.

J is a device serving the doublcpurposc of a magnetic armature and apiston, movingin the cylinder I and centrally connected with a rod J,which has at its upper end a valveJ2, adapted to close the port I1, andat its lower end a valve J3, adapted to close the port I1, which is theexhaust-port of the chamber I and connected therewith, as will behereinafter described. As shown, I arrange an electromagnetic coil J6around the rod J and in position to act upon the armature J, and in thesame casting I2, I form below the electromagnets the chambers I8 and I7,from which lead the exhaust-ports 110110, and which chambers arerespectively connected with the chambers I and I by means of thechannels I5 and I".

J4 indicates adjusting-nuts screwing on the lower parts of the rod J/and serving as abutments for the spring J5, the function of which is tonormally thrust the rod J upward, so as to force the valve J2 to seatitself on the admission-port and at the same time to lift the valve J3,opening the corresponding exhaust IW.

I are plugs closing the chambers I7 and IE and in which are formed theexhaust-ports 110, and I11 is a tube through which the circuit-wires areintroduced and lead to the magnets Jj,

The operation of the above-described actuating mcehanism is as follows:The admission-ports I1 IA1 are normally closed by the valves J2 and j2,owing to the upward pressure of the springs J5 andji". Consequently theexhaust-ports 110 I1U leading from both chambers are normally open andno pressure IIO exists in either chambers or at either end of thecylinders H, with which the chambers are connected. When one of theelectromagnets J5 or D7'5 is energized, its corresponding armature .l or,j is attracted, and owing to its connection with the spindle or rod Jor j', as the case may be, opens the admission-valve and simultaneouslycloses the exhaust-port, from which said chamber the pressure iiuid fromK then iows through the open ad mission-port and the chamber into whichit opens and through such chamber into the ports H2 and H3, as the casemay be, into one end of the cylinder H, the other end being freelyconnected with the open exhaust leading from the other chamber. Thefluid, it' any, can escape therefrom and the piston H is moved with acorresponding motion of its connected controlling-valve. It is of coursecontemplated that the electromaguets J5 and ,7'5 shall be alternatelyand not simultaneously actuated, and obviously, as will be understoodfrom the description above given, the alternate energizing of theelectromagnets will accomplish a reciprocation of the piston H and thecontrolling-valve.

The special arrangements of electromagnets, valves, dac., hereinabovedescribed embodies certain features which I believe to be novel andvaluable, but is obviously capable of very material modification, and sofar as my broad claims not specifically referring to the particularmechanism of this part of my apparatus are concerned I do not wish to beunderstood as making this particular construction an essential part ofmy invention.

The mechanism for alternately energizing the electromagnets J 5 and j,and which also is designed to perform other functions to be hereinafterdescribed, is illustrated in Fig. 16 of the drawings and in Some of itsdetails in Figs. 17, 18, and 19. In these figures L and L' indicate twocontact-springs secured to a switchboard, and L2 and L3 two othercontactsprings also secured to the board, L1 and L5 being switch-armspivoted at L1i and L7 to the board and joined at their free ends by anonconducting` junction L8, to which is attached a handle L9, thearrangement being such that in one position of the 4switch the arms L1and L5 are in contact, respectiv el v,with the switchsprings L and L',while in the other position they are in contact, respectively, with theswitch-springs L2 and L3. As shown, the-pivcial support L7 of the arm L5is constructed, as shown in Figs. 18 and 19, with a slot formed betweenportions M/ and M2 of the support in which the switch-arm is received,and a cylindrical extension M4, formed with a'slot-like openin g M5 atits top and closed, as shown, by a head M5, having at its center abearin g M7, an enlarged bearing M3 being provided at the center of theopposite end of the cylinder and another bearingM8 being providedin thearm M1, as shown. The switch-arm L5 is, as shown, secured on a portionMn of astud, which passes through the bearin g D 5 and is secured on thevin Fig. 16.

outside thereof, as by nuts, while on the other side it has, first, anenlarged cylindrical section M10, fitting in the bearing M3, and beyondthis a segmental extension, which, as shown,is about semicylindrical andindicated at M11,a bearing M12 being formed in this piece, as shown, toreceive the end M13 of a shaft or stud, the other end M11 of which isheld in the bearing M7 and upon which is formed or to which is attached,by mea-ns of a web M15, a cylindrical or segmental portion M15, upon theperiphery of which may be conveniently placed the words In and Out, asshown M17 is a pin secured to the web M15, as shown, and adapted to beengaged by the respective ends of the segment M11 as such segment isturned with a switch-arm.

M18 is a spring situated, as shown, in the cylindrical shell M15 andhaving for its function simply to hold the parts together withsuflicient friction to prevent their adventitious movement.

The operation of the above-described device can be readily followed. Thes-witcharmbeing in the position, for instance, shown in Fig. 16, theword Out is brought to register with slotted opening M5. The switcharmbeing now turned downward, the word Out will remain exhibited untilthemotion of the segment M11 has amounted to nearlya semicircular movement,whereupon the end or the edge of the segment will come in contact withthe pin M11 and move it and the cylindrical shell M15into position toexhibit the word In at the slot M5, this change in the signal occurringonly when the switch-arms make contact with the springs L?l and L3.

' The circuit-wiring exhibited in Fig. 16 may be described as follows: Nis a wire leading from abattery (not shown) and connecting with apivotal support L7, which of course must 'be an insulated conductor, andfrom which the current passes to the switch-arm L5. Thence in theposition of the switch shown it passes to the spring L', and thencethrough the line-wire N', through a switch contact and lever P11 P8, tobe hereinafter described, to the line-wire N2, connected with one end ofthe windings on the electroniagnet j, the other end of the windingsconnecting by the line-wire N3 with wire N1, which leads to and througha signal O, which may conveniently be a lamp, to the spring-contact L,th rough which the cu rrent passes to the switcharm L4, through theinsulated pivoted support LG to the line-wire N5, which leads to theother pole of the battery. (Not shown.) When the switch-arm is thrown tothe alternate position, the current passes from the switcharm L5 to thespring-contact Lthence through the wire N7 and the spring andswitch-lever P12 and P5 to the wire N8, connected with one end of thewindings to the electromagnet J 5, the other end of which windingsconnects by the wire N9 with the wire N1, the current passing throughsaid wire and the signal O, as before, and through the branch connectionN5 IOO lIO

to the spring-contact L2, thence through the switch-arm L4 and line-wireNG to the opposite pole of the battery, as before. It will be seen thatby the circuit-windings described the shifting of the switch lever orlevers alternately energizes the two eleetroinagnets with the resultsalready described upon the controlling-valve of the system, and it will,also be obviousthat the In and Out7 signal described particularly inconnection with Figs. 1S and 19 is not an essential or even importantmeans of indicating the position of the switch where, as in the planshown, the switch-lever is changed in position, because such change inposition would be a quite sufcient indication of the intended shiftingof the controlling-valve and of the parts controlled thereby. In cases,however, where the switching device is not actually changed in apparentposition an indicating device other than the position of the switch hasobvious value. It will also be observed that in the system of wiring orcircuits described the signal O, whether it be a lamp or other deviceactuated by the current, is similarly actuated, no matter through whichelectromagnet the current passes, because it is situated in a commonreturn-wire.

In the particular arrangement illustrated in the drawings thesafety-signal after each manipulation of the switch or other deviceregulating the position of the controlling valve or mechanism is givenby the extinguishment of the lamp O; but whether this particular signalor another is used, an important feature of my invention is theprovision in connection with the various independent actuating devicesoperating upon the switches, gates, rbc., of the system of meansoperated and dependent for operation upon the designed movement of eachof the governing devices, and so arranged in connection with a signal asto actuate it only upon the completion of the designed movementof eachpart of the system. My preferred mechanism for electing this is thatillustrated in the drawings and in which each actuatingcylinder isprovided with two valve-casingssuch as R r, illustrated in connectionwith the cylinders E and c, and R' o", illustrated in connection withthe cylinder F, the detailed construction of these valve-casings and thevalves operating in connection therewith being that illustrated in Fig.S of the drawings, the casing being divided, as shown, into two mainchambers R2 and R2, between which is situated the valve-scat R1. Anadditional chamber R5 is provided above the chamber R2, leading into theatmosphere through channels R0 and having at its top a cylindricalextension R7. Conduits, as Q' and Q2, Fig. 8,

lead into the chambers R2 and R2, respectively, and preferably one ofthese casings is secured to each head of the cylinder, as indicated inFigs. 1, 5, and G.

S is a valve-stem, the upper end of which is made hollow, as indicatedat S.

A valve S3 is secured to the stem and arranged to operate in connectionwith the seat R1, apertures S2 extending through or below the valve fromthe hollow portion S' of the stem into the chamber R2. The solid end ofthe valvestem extends through the head of the cylinder, to which it isattached, as shown, in position to be moved by the piston working in thecylinder as it approaches the end of its stroke. lheouteror hollow endof the valvestem passes through the wall separating the chambers R2 andR5, making a iit therewith, as indicated at R2, and the construction is,as shown, such that when the valve S3 is seated the chamber R2 is incommunication with the chamber R5 through the hollow valve-stein, andthus in communication with the atmosphere through the passages R2. Vhen,however, the valve S3 is raised from its seat, the hollow end of thevalve-stein passes into the cylindrical portion R7, closing connectionbetween either the chambers R2 or R2 and the atmosphere. It will thus beseen that the hollow stem S4 serves as a valve controlling theconnection between chamber R3 through chamber R5 to the atmosphere.

Q and q are supply-pipes leading from a source of fluid-pressure, asindicated, from the pipe A and connecting, respectively, with thcchambers R2 of the valve-casings R and r, attached to the opposite headsof the cylinder c. From the chamber R5 of the casing R leads the conduitQ', connecting again with the chamber R2 ot' the casing R', attached to'the upper head of the cylinder F, and from the chamber R3 of this casingthe conduit Q2 leads to the chamber R2 of the casing R, attached to theouter head of the cylinder E, and from the chamber R2 of this casing theconduit Q2 leads into the lower end of the cylinder P2. (See Figs. 13and 1i.) From the chamber R5 of the casing r the conduit q leads to thechamber R2 of the casing c", and from the chamber R2 of this easing theconduit q2 leads to the chamber R2 of the casing r, attached to theinner head of the cylinder E and from the chamber R2 of which theconduit q2 leads to the lower end of the cylinder P. (See Fig. 13.) Thecylinders P' and P2 are formed in or secured to a bracket-casting P,having conveniently a box-like casing P1'1 secured to its top, as shownin Figs. 13, 14, and 15. Pistons P5 and P*1 are situated in thecylinders P and P2 and held normally at the bottom of said cylindersbythe action of springs P5. The piston-rods PG and P7 of the respectivepistons are con nected,as shown, with the free ends of pivotedswitch-levers P8 and P2, pivoted at P11 in the box-casing P11 andarranged to make contact with the circuit-springs P11 and P12 when thepistons are in their depressed position and to break such contact whenthe pistons are forced upward.

P13 indicates a conduit for the circuit-wires leading into the casingP11.

The operation of the devices last described IIO is as follows: Thevalves S3 are normally held to their seats, as by a spring, suchasindicated in Fig. 8, and in this position, as already described, thechambers R3 of the various casings are in free communication with theatmosphere. In practice, however, this communication with the atmosphereor exhaust is determined entirely by the movement of the variouscontrolling devices in the system, as shown by the position of thepistons in the actuating-cylinders. Thus when the controlling-valve ismoved to place the supply-pipe E6 in communication with a source offluid-pressure the motive fluid flows to the outer ends of the cylindersE and e and the upper end of the cylinder F, and with the result, if theparts move as indicated, that the switches D and d are moved to theposition shown in dotted lines in Fig. l and the gate controlled by thecylinder F closed. The piston in the cylinder e at the end of its strokecomes in contact with the valve-stem S, working in the casing r, raisingthe valve S3 from its seat and forcing the upper end of the piston-rod Sinto the cylinder R7, cutting oft the exhaust-passage and opening a freecourse for pressure Huid from the supplypipe q into the conduit-pipelq', from which it iows into the chamber R2 ot the casing fr', attachedto the lower end of the cylinder F. The piston in this cylinder at theend of its downward stroke moves the valve-stem S of the casing r,placingin the manner described the conduit q' into communication withthe conduit q2, so that the pressure fluid flows freely into the chamberR2 of the casing r on the cylinder E, and the valve-stein S of thiscasing being moved by the inward stroke of the piston in the cylinder inturn places the conduit q2 in communication with the conduit g3 andthrough it with thelower port of the cylinder P'. On the other hand, themovement of each of the pistons away from the outer heads of thecylinders E and c and of the cylinder F permits the -valves in thecasings R, R, and R to close, opening the exhaust from each casing andpermitting through the casing R, attached to the outer head of thecylinder E, the exhaust of any pressure fluid which may be in thecylinder P2, while at the same time the closing of the valve S3 in thecasing R, attached to the outer head -of the cylinder e, cuts off allcommunication between the supply-pipe Q and the pipe Q'. It will beunderstood, of course, that the reversal of the movements of the variouscontrolling-pistons will open the other of the two conduits and permitthe first to exhaust, and obviously if any one of the pistons docs notmake its full motion, but stops at a point intermediate of the fullextent of its stroke, it will not act on either of the valve-rodsconnected with the heads of the cylinder, and the pressure iiuid fromthe supply-pipes Q and q cannot find its way to either of the cylindersP' or P2, both of which will be open to the exhaust through the twovalve-casings attached to the cylinder, the piston in which has not madeits complete movement.

Returning now to the diagram Fig. 16 and supposing the switch to havebeen just turned to the position indicated in said figure, thebatterycurrent will, as already described, pass through the circuitconnections to the magnetj6 and on the return-line through the signal O,lighting a lamp, as indicated, it a lamp is used for a signal. Theenergizing of the magnetj will in the manner already described causepressure tiuid to be admitted `from the chamber I and ports II2 to thelefthand side of the piston I-I", as shown in Fig. 10, and the resultingmotion of said piston will move the controlling-valve G7 G8 to theright, admitting pressure iiuid to the supplypipe E6 and permitting itto exhaust from the supply-pipe E7. From the supply-pipe E6 the pressurefluid is admitted to the outer ends of the cylinders E and e and theupper end ofthe cylinder F, tending to raise the switches to theposition indicated in Fig. l and to open thegate in the main tube A. Asthe pistons in the cylinders E and e and F move outward they permit thevalves to close in the casings R, R, and R', permitting any pressuretluid beneath the piston P@1 to exhaust and said piston to move down,carrying with it the switch-lever P9 until it makes contact with thesprings P12. The further movement of the pistons E', E, and F bringsthem in contact with the valve-rods projecting into the inner and lowerheads of the cylinders,

, thereby raising the connected valves, as described, and in case allthe pistons move as desired, permitting the pressure fluid from thesupply-pipe q to ow into the cylinder P', raising the piston PSandthrough it the switchlever P8, breaking contact with the springs P1l andopening l(he circuit leading to the electromagnet y, with the result ofcutting ol the free supply ot motive tiuid to the lefthand end of thecylinder H and also of opening the circuit leading to the signal O,which by reason of the breaking of the circuit in IIO the plan shown, bythe cutting out of the' lamp, gives notice to the operator that all theparts of the system have attained the desired position. The reversemovement of the switch of course reverses the action through thedifferent parts described, effecting precisely the same sequence of actsin the opposite direction.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, isi l. In a pneumatic transmission system thecombination of a series of devices for governing the motion of a carrierthrough the same with a series of separate actuating mechanisms foractuating the individual carriergoverning devices, a signal and meansgoverned only by the motion of each and all of the entire system ofseparate actuating devices for operating said signal.

2. In a pneumatic transmission system the combination of a series ofdevices for governing the motion of a carrier through the same with aseries of separate actuating .mechanisms for actuating the individualcarrier-governing devices, a governing device whereby an operator cansim ultaneously act upon each of the separate actuating mechanisms toregulate the passage ot' a carrier through the system, a signal andmeans governed only bythe motion of cach and all of the entire system ofseparate actu ating devices for operating said signal.

3. In a pneumatic transmission system the combination with a main lineof tubes and a loop extein'ling from and to said line, of a gatearranged to close and open the main line intermediate of the ends of theloop, switches at the junction ot the ends of the loop with the lnainline, separate means for shifting the positions of each ot' the switchesand of the gate so as to include or exclude the loop from the system, asignal to indicate the condition of the tube-circuit and means foractuating said signal connected as described with cach separateactuating device for the switches and gate and dependent for itscapacity to actuate the signal on the movement of all said actuatingdevices.

4. In a pneumatic transmission system the combination with a main lineof tubes and a loop extending from and to said line, of a gate arrangedto close and open the main line intermediate of the ends of the loop,switches at the junction of the ends of the loop with the main line,separate cylinders as E, e and F for actuating cach of said switchesland the gate so as to exclude or include the loop from the system, twosystems of pipes one leading to and connecting with one end of eachcylinder and the other leading to and connecting with the other end ofeach of said cylinders, a valve-chamber connecting with each pipe systemand with a source of Huid-pressure, a valve situated therein andarranged to alternately connect one pipe system with the source ofpressure and the other with an exhaust, means for actuating said valve,a signal to indicate the condition of the tubecircuit and means foractuating said signal connected as described with each separateactuating device for the switches and gate and dependent for itscapacity to actuate the signal on the movement of all said actuatingdevices.

5. In a pneumatic transmission system the combination with a main lineof tubes and a loop extending from and to said line, of a gate arrangedto open and close the main line intermediate of the ends of the loopwith the main line, separate means for shifting the positions of each ofthe switches and of the gate so as to include or exclude the loop fromthe system, means for simultaneously transmitting motive power to eachof the independent actuating devices to move them in alternately reversedirections, a signal to indicate the condition of the tube-circuit andmeans for actuating said signal connected as described with eachseparate actuating device for the switches and gate and dependent forits capacity to actuatc the signal on the movement of all said actuatingdevices.

G. In a pneumatic transmission system the combination of aseries ofdevices for governing the course of a carrier through the same withmeans for actuating said devices, a series of valves as R, one or morearranged in connection with each separate device governing the course ofthe carrier, and in manner as spccided to be actuated by or inaccordance with the shifting of said devices, a conduit or conduitsleading through said valves and open only when all said valves are open,a source of fluid-pressure connected to one end of said conduit,amovable part connected tothe other end ofsaid conduit and a signalarranged to be actuated by said moving part.

7. In a pneumatic transmission system the combination of a series ofdevices for governing the course of a carrier through the same with aseries of separate cylinders arranged to operate said devices, twoconduits, one connecting to one end of cach cylinder and the other tothe other ends thereof, aecommon valve-chamber with which both conduitsconnect, a source of Huid-supply leading to said valve-chamber, a valvesituated in said chamberand arranged to alternately connect each conduitto the source of fluid-pressure and the other to an exhaust, a series ofvalves R o connected to the top and bottom of each cylinder so as to beactuated by the movement ot the pistons therein, two conduits, oneleading through each set of valves and open only when all the valves ofits set arc open, a source of fluid-pressure connected to one end ofsaid conduits, movable parts as pistons PPconnected with the other endsof said conduits, and a signal arranged to be actuated by said movableparts. c

8. In a pneumatic transmission system a series of switches or othermovable devices controlling the path of a carrier through the system,means for moving said devices 1ocatcd in close proximity thereto, acommon actuating device for simultaneously acting on said means toeffect a shift in the positions of the parts they control, an indicatorarranged in connection with such common actuating device to show thedesigned shift in the position of the controlled parts, and a signalsystem arranged as described in connection with the shifting devices toshow Whether they have al1 made their designed movements.

9. In a pneumatic transmission system a series of switches or othermovable devices controlling the path of a carrier through the system,means for moving said devices located in close proximity thereto, amovable common controllingdevice forsimultaneously acting on said meansto shift the position of the parts they control, electromagnetic meansfor actuating said controlling device, circuitwires, a switch arrangedin connection With IOO IIO

said wires to close the circuits lo actuate the electromagnetic devicesand through them the controlling device as desired, a signal situated inand actuated by the circuit-wires aforesaid and means governed andactuated by the devices governing thepath of the carrier as specifiedand whereby the circuit is opened when the desired shift in theirposition is made.

lO. In a pneumatic transmission system a series of switches or othermovable devices controlling the path of a carrier through the system,means for moving said devices located in close proximity thereto, amovable common controlling device as G for simultaneously acting on saidmeans to shift the position ot' the parts they control, a cylinder I-Iand piston II for moving said controlling device, chambers as I Iconnected to the opposite ends of said cylinder and each having aconnection, as K4, with a source of fluid-pressure, and a connection, asI6 I5, to exhaust, valves asJ2 J 3 moving toget-her and arranged toalternatively open and close the said admission and exhaust ports, meansholding said valves normally in position to close the admission-portsand open the exhaust-ports, two electrmagnets, one arranged inconnection with each set of valves and so as to open the admission andclose the exhaust port when energized, electric circuits arranged asspecified in connection with said electromagnets, and aswitch in saidcircuits adapted to close the circuit through either magnet at will..

1l. In a pneumatic transmission system a series of switches or othermovable devices controlling the path of a carrier through the system,means for moving said devices located in close proximity thereto, amovable common controlling device as G for simultaneously acting on saidmeans to shift the position of the parts they control, a cylinder II andpiston I'I for moving said controlling device, chambers as I I connectedto the opposite ends of said cylinder and each having a connection, asK4, with a source of tluid-pressure and a connection-as IG I5 toexhaust, valves as J 2 J 3 moving together and arranged to alternativelyopen and close the said admission and exhaust ports, means holding saidvalves normally in position to close the admission-ports and open theexhaust-ports, two electromagnets, one arranged in connection with eachset of valves and so as to open the admission and close the exhaust portwhen energized, electric circuits arranged as specified in connectionwith said electromagnets, a switch in said circuits adapted to close thecircuit through either magnet at will, a signal arranged to lie alwaysin the circuit branch opened by the switch and means for opening saidcircuit actuated by the shifting of the carrier-controlling mechanism.l2. In a pneumatic transmission system, substantially as speciiied, thecombination with a series of independent cylinders arranged to actuatecarrier-controllingmechanism, of a series of valve-'casings asR r havingtwo chambers as R2 R3 and conduits leading from each chamber connectingsaid casings together in two sets and as a whole with a source ofpressure fluid and an actuating device, valves as S3 S4 arranged tocontrol the communication between the cham bers R2 and R3 and theexhaust from chamber R3 as described and valve-rods as S projecting intothe cylinders and arranged to be moved by the piston moving therein.

13. In apneumatic transmission system the combination with a cylinderarranged to actnate carrier -controlling mechanism, of a valve-casting,as R, having two chambers, as R2 R3, and conduits leading from eachchamber,'the one leading from chamber R2 connecting with a source offluid-pressure and the one leading from chamber R3 with a device to beactuated by such pressure, valves as S3 S4 arranged to control thecommunication between the chambers R2 R3 and the exhaust from chamber R3as described and a valve-actuating rod, as S, projecting into thecylinder, and arranged to be moved by the piston in said cylinder.

BIRNEY C. BATCHELLER.

Witnesses:

CHAs. F. MYERS, D. STEWART.

